Yeast Probiotic for Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea

A 2015 systemic review with meta-analysis found that a yeast probiotic containing Saccharomyces boulardii was significantly more effective than placebo or control at preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea in both children and adults. Studies have also found that Saccharomyces boulardii is significantly more effective than placebo at reducing recurrent Clostridium difficile infection over 4 weeks. Saccharomyces boulardii may cause stomach upset among other side effects. It may not be suitable for people who are immunocompromised.

Szajewska H, Kołodziej M. Systematic review with meta-analysis: Saccharomyces boulardii in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2015 Oct;42(7):793-801. doi: 10.1111/apt.13344. Epub 2015 Jul 27. PMID: 26216624.

McFarland LV, Surawicz CM, Greenberg RN, Fekety R, Elmer GW, Moyer KA, Melcher SA, Bowen KE, Cox JL, Noorani Z, et al. A randomized placebo-controlled trial of Saccharomyces boulardii in combination with standard antibiotics for Clostridium difficile disease. JAMA. 1994 Jun 22-29;271(24):1913-8. Erratum in: JAMA 1994 Aug 17;272(7):518. PMID: 8201735.

Surawicz CM, McFarland LV, Greenberg RN, Rubin M, Fekety R, Mulligan ME, Garcia RJ, Brandmarker S, Bowen K, Borjal D, Elmer GW. The search for a better treatment for recurrent Clostridium difficile disease: use of high-dose vancomycin combined with Saccharomyces boulardii. Clin Infect Dis. 2000 Oct;31(4):1012-7. doi: 10.1086/318130. Epub 2000 Oct 25. PMID: 11049785.